We’re so often trying to get the word out about what United Way does for this community that it’s often difficult to describe everything in just a few sentences. But if there’s one main takeaway that we’d like to impart on everyone, it’s that if you’re in need, all you need to do is call 211.
Just like when you dial 911 for emergencies, you can call 211 if you need help in the areas of health and human services. (If your situation is a true emergency, please call 911).
Calling 211 gets you connected with someone who can give referrals to the agencies and organizations around you that may be able to help. As our tagline says, sometimes you need more than an internet search. Sometimes it takes explaining your situation to another human being who is knowledgeable about and equipped with a wide range of referral options.
If you call in Mon or Preston counties, you’ll likely be connected with Joe Wakim in our office. Joe is our AmeriCorps service member, and he answers the phone for a variety of reasons, ranging from those in need of financial assistance to those who need to escape domestic abuse situations to those who need food to put on the table.
To show how 211 is helping in our community, we felt it was important to share some of the stats and facts from the past year.
From Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2021, Joe logged 837 calls from people in need in our community. He also made 3,129 referrals for folks in our community. That means he gave 3,129 chances to get help for people struggling in the two counties.
And what, specifically, were the issues he was trying to address? These were the top five needs in 2021:
- Housing — Joe gave 1,656 referrals to people who were either homeless, in danger of becoming homeless and/or couldn’t pay their rent or mortgage.
- Utility assistance — Still feeling the effects of COVID, many people in our community are continuing to have trouble keeping bills, such as electric or gas, under control. In 2021, Joe made 1,106 referrals to agencies that could potentially help with utilities.
- Other — While these calls were too varied to assemble under one category, as a whole, “other” means people were dealing with issues, such as lack of transportation, car problems, help getting to doctor’s appointments, elderly folks in need of household help, etc. Joe made 160 referrals in this “other” category to agencies in our area.
- Food insecurity, which was the No. 1 need when the pandemic first began, has now dropped to No. 4, with 143 referrals being made for food pantries. United Way’s Helpful Harvest Food Program, which was an anchor program at Hazel’s House of Hope, has been working to make sure people have food on their tables by keeping area food pantries and programs well stocked with fresher and healthier food options.
- Legal aid rounds out the top five, with Joe providing 32 referrals for it in the past year.
The busiest month for 211 calls in 2021 in our area was June with 123, followed by 92 in August and 90 in October.
Housing and utility assistance were far and away the leader in terms of both calls and referrals, but Joe said at least he has options to give those people. There are several programs helping with both issues. However, there are a handful of frequent requests that aren’t as easy to help with.
“I wish we had resources that could fix roofs, clean gutters, install ramps, cut grass, remove snow, etc.,” Joe said.
If there are any volunteers or agencies that can work on these types of projects, please call Joe at 304-296-7525.
If you are in need of help and don’t know who to call, dial 211, visit wv211.org, or text your zip code to 898-211.
Amanda Posey is the director of marketing and communications for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. She can be reached at amanda@unitedwaympc.org.
